FIELD PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE ADMIXTURES

This project investigated compatibility problems involving two concrete admixtures from W.R. Grace Products and Dacotah portland cement. The problems experienced by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) were described as rapid slump loss, premature stiffening, and low compressive strengths. The materials investigated in this report are commonly used by the SDDOT in concrete construction projects. The research objectives were met by performing mortar and concrete flow table tests to verify compatibility between Dacotah cement and a high-range water-reducing admixture (HRWRA) and a retarder. The flow table tests were also used to determine an optimum time of addition for the admixtures. A five factorial statistical design to create thirty-three concrete mix designs was used in an effort to reproduce a compatibility problem. Finally, a field demonstration project was conducted to verify compatibility between the cement and admixtures under field conditions. Maximum dosages of each admixture were used in an attempt to create a compatibility problem. The mortar flow table test of Type V cement and HRWRA exhibited an optimum time of addition of the admixture to be at four minutes. The retarder showed no effect on the flow table results. Concrete mortar flow table results showed an improved performance with delayed addition of both the HRWRA and retarder. Analysis of the 33 concrete mixtures showed no general incompatibility between the cement and admixtures when the manufacturers' recommended mixing procedures were followed. The field demonstration displayed incompatibility between the cement and both admixtures; however, both admixtures were used at the maximum recommended dosages.

• Record URL:
  http://www.sddot.com/business/research/projects/docs/SD1997_09_final_report.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/14178
• Corporate Authors:

  South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City

  501 East St Joseph Street
  Rapid City, SD  United States  57701

  South Dakota Department of Transportation

  700 East Broadway Avenue
  Pierre, SD  United States  57501
• Authors:
  • Hansen, M R
  • Flottmeyer, B L
• Publication Date: 1998-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 38 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Compressive strength; Concrete; Demonstration projects; Field tests; Mix design; Portland cement; Retarders (Concrete); Slump test; Stiffness; Water reducing agents
• Uncontrolled Terms: Flow table tests
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00803931
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SD97-09-F,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: 20310500
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 20 2001 12:00AM